Motherwell now have steel to go with style - Koutroumbis

Johnny Koutroumbis says Motherwell's Premiership draw with league leaders Hearts demonstrated that the Steelmen have added some steel to go with their free-flowing football.

The home side had the better of the chances at Fir Park but had to settle for a goalless draw.

"It was a tough game, one of the tougher ones we've had this year," Koutroumbis told BBC Scotland.

"It's hard to determine who came out on top. I felt like we did, personally, but it was one of those tough games where the top teams clash, and it was quite scrappy out there.

"I think the boys held up quite well and we won our battles, the majority of them, so we're happy.

"That's something we lacked at the start of the year, where we dominated games, but we just didn't show that defending desire.

"It's pleasing to see that as the season's gone on, and it's not been too late in the season, we've shown we're a very good team off the ball too."

Koutroumbis says Well manager Jens Berthel Askou deserves credit for instilling belief in his players to stick to their style no matter the opposition.

"He gives us great confidence," said the Australian. "He gives each individual player confidence, the licence to play, but also he has a structure and everyone respects that structure.

"We all know how we want to play. We can't shy away from wanting to play the way we want to play based on who we come up against.

"Whether it's first in the league or last in the league, we're still going to play the same way with confidence."